How do I make the best impression possible given that I'm the underdog?

A little background:

I graduated from a top 40 undergrad b-school with a 2.3 GPA studying finance. Honestly, I loved finance, especially pitching investment plays in school - my team had the highest ROI in my investments class with our Vice Fund (during the recession we banked on growing sales of alcohol and tobacco, and marijuana) but I struggling with some personal issues that have since been dealt with. They still don't know my GPA, just that it is less than a 3.0.

I got involved with this couple by volunteering for his wife's foundation which developed into the two internships.
Essentially did two internships simultaneously, split between drafting executive sector briefs and conducting research for a private equity CEO and helping with operational planning, feasibility studies etc. for his wife's startup.

They seem to have taken a liking to me and I've been in touch with the wife over the last few years. I recently just received an email from the CEO of the PE firm (small, I'd be working with about 10 people maximum, approx. $150 m AUM but growing rapidly with the rest of the impact investing sector) wanting to talk to me about an analyst position doing research and project management for their portfolio companies. I'd work as a contractor for six months and then convert to a full time position if it makes sense. Since the wife and I have been talking extensively recently, I get the vibe that our "talk" is really just a formality and I have the job (at least for 6 months).

My question is how do I best display performance to get a full time offer?

Would it be pitching smart investment ideas internally and being able to bring new prospective companies into the deal pipeline?

Or is it more social? Just getting along with the rest of the team so they enjoy working with me.

 

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I think considering the small size of the company, you have to show that you add value in some way. That being said, I would feel it out in the first two weeks. Sort of see what they want from you and then give them 110% of that and more. Definitely take time to socialize but show that you deserve to be there as much as anyone else through your work.

Idk though I'm just an intern

 
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